Know My Number
The first step in understanding high blood pressure is learning what your numbers mean. Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic (the higher number) and diastolic (the lower number) (e.g., 120/80 mmHg):
- Systolic pressure occurs when your heart contracts.
- Diastolic pressure occurs when your heart relaxes and fills with blood.
- Blood pressure is measured using millimetres of mercury (mmHg), which is a standardized measurement of pressure.
The higher your systolic or diastolic blood pressure – and the longer it stays high – the greater the potential damage to your blood vessels.
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Your blood pressure should be less than 140/90 mmHg. |
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|---|---|---|
| Low Risk | Moderate Risk | Elevated Risk |
| Less than 120/80 mmHg | 121/80 to 139/89 mmHg | More than 140/90 mmHg |
If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have high blood pressure. It should be less than 130/80 mmHg.